9 Attempts To Reduce Tensions Between East And West (pt.2) Flashcards
Why did Gorbachev adopt his radical programme of reform ‘New Thinking’?
Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union in March 1985, and was prepared to adopt drastic policies to improve superpower relations, or the Soviet Union would collapse.
Gorbachev realised that communism in the Soviet Union caused many problems. The Soviet economy was not as efficient as the American economy resulting in the Soviet Union being dominated by shortages. This decreased the standard of living, increasing unrest.
What were the main components of Gorbachev’s ‘New Thinking’?
Gorbachev adopted three main strategies in his modernised form of socialism that effectively ended the Cold War:
- Initiating sweeping reforms in the Communist Party and Soviet System - Perestroika (restructuring of the economy and political system) and glasnost (openness)
- Ending the arms race with the USA and signing various arms reduction agreements
- Abandoning the Brezhnev Doctrine and stopping Soviet interference in satellite states
What were the consequences of Gorbachev’s ‘New Thinking’ in the Soviet Union?
- Glasnost: Dissidents were released from jail, banned books were published and people learned of the atrocities committed by Stalin. However, glasnost also gave people more freedom to criticise Gorbachev, which made it harder for the Communist Party to stay in power
- Perestroika and uskoreniye introduced certain aspects of a free economy. Reforms in the political system such as elections for the local government won support for Gorbachev.
What occurred at the Summit Conferences from 1985-86?
Arms limitations talks were renewed after it was clear that Gorbachev was keen to change relations with the West:
- Geneva Summit (November 1985): President Reagan would not give up his commitment to SDI, but both leaders agreed to speed up arms talks, work towards the abolition of chemical weapons and be more active on human rights issues in the Geneva Accord. Warm relations were also shared and both leaders spoke of the world being a safer place.
- Reykjavik summit meeting (October 1986): The summit meeting broke down because although the leaders agreed to sweeping reductions in nuclear arsenals, Reagan would not give up on his commitment to SDI.
What was the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), signed in 1987?
A third summit was held in December 1987, and this led to the signing of the INF treaty. Reagan was still committed to SDI in 1987, but Gorbachev changed his mind and signed the treaty nevertheless, because:
- Reagan convinced him that the US would not invade the Soviet Union
- Gorbachev realised the soviet economy would never recover as long as it was spending money on nuclear weapons
- Gorbachev believed disarmament would win him popularity in the West, which could increase trade opportunities in the West
- Gorbachev believed that having nuclear weapons would not guarantee the Soviet Union security, therefore he was keen to sign the treaty
The treaty eliminated nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500-5500 km. Both nations were allowed to inspect each other’s military installations and there were verification process users in place to check that nuclear weapons were destroyed
What further agreements were made after the INF treaty?
Many further agreements were made after the INF treaty to further improve relations, decrease tensions and eventually lead to the end of the Cold War.
This included the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty of 1989 and the Treaty for the Reduction and Limitations of Strategic Arms (START I), signed in 1991.
